Control device for the transmission of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

Control device includes a control lever and a control bracket provided with a first pivotable hinge by which the lever is pivotally arranged in relation to the control bracket for displacement between a plurality of control positions. The control positions of the control lever about the pivotable hinge are converted into corresponding operating conditions of a device which is intended to be operated. In this regard, the control lever is adjustable to assume a second control movement. The control lever is caused to perform its control movement by pivoting of the lever with a second pivotable hinge operating as a pivot center. The control device includes a locking device which, during adjustment to the second control movement, locks the pivoting motion of the control lever about its first pivotable hinge. In this manner, the pivot center can be relocated to the second pivotable hinge.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to a control device for thetransmission of a vehicle, and more particularly, allowing for automaticand manual modes of operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The gear lever assembly is a very common application of control devicesof the present type for manual and automatic gearboxes. An example of agear lever assembly allowing both automatic and manual gear-shifting canbe found for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,314. This document disclosesa gear lever which can be moved about a transverse main axis, fordisplacement between different operational conditions in an automaticgear-shifting mode. The gear lever can also be moved about a secondaxis, which is transverse to the main axis, for changing between theautomatic gear-shifting mode and a manual gear-shifting mode. Due to thefact that the second axis of rotation is supported on a hub on the firstaxis, any clearances in the various components will be added and will beenlarged at the gear lever knob. This may impart a feeling of lack ofstability and uncertainty as to whether the correct gear position isengaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and highly stableassembly which provides distinct gear positions and which mayaccommodate high forces.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is described a controldevice comprising a control lever, a control bracket having a guidetrack, the control lever having a first pivotable hinge wherein thecontrol lever is pivotally arranged in relationship to the controlbracket for displacement between a plurality of control positions with afirst control movement, wherein the control positions of the controllever about the first pivotable hinge are adapted to be transferred intocorresponding operating conditions, the control lever further adapted tocarry out a second control movement by turning the control lever about asecond pivotable hinge forming a pivot center, a locking device whichduring displacement of the control lever to the second control movementlocks the pivotable movement of the control lever about the first pivothinge and changes the pivot center for the control lever to the secondpivotable hinge, the second pivotable hinge including a transverse shaftwhich is translationally moveable in the guide track for determining thecontrol movement of the control lever and for locking the translationaldisplacement of the shaft in a predetermined control condition wherebythe change of the pivot center for the control lever is carried out, thecontrol bracket including a housing having two wall sections extendingon each side of the control lever and having the guide track in eachwall section, and a mechanical transmission element for the transfer ofat least one operating condition operatively coupled to the controllever.

The present invention further includes a bearing ball at the end of thecontrol lever, and a bearing cup arranged in the control bracket to formpart of the first pivotable hinge, the bearing cup allowing thedisplacement of the control lever to the second control movement aboutthe second pivotable hinge by means of positionally guiding the movementof the bearing ball within the bearing cup.

The present invention further includes that the bearing cup is in theform of tracks which allow both a rotational movement and atranslational displacement of the bearing ball.

The present invention further includes that the tracks for the bearingball comprise a first section for rotational movement of the bearingball in a predetermined position for pivoting of the control lever aboutthe first pivotable hinge, for translational displacement to a secondsection which presents an angle in relationship to the first section,and for translational displacement of the bearing ball along the secondsection for pivoting the control lever about the second pivotable hinge.

The present invention further includes two electrical switches fordetection of at least four positions of the control lever.

The present invention further includes that the electrical switches areeach adapted to maintain one electrical circuit broken with the bearingball being in its position for rotational displacement in the firstsection, and to maintain both electrical circuits closed, alternativelymaintaining one of the electrical circuits closed, with the bearing ballbeing in any one of three positions in the second section.

The present invention further includes that the tracks for the bearingball are generally T-shaped.

The present invention further includes that during the second controlmovement, the control lever is adapted to be displaced along a pathwhich extends in a direction which is separated from a direction whichis parallel to a path of the first control movement.

The present invention further includes that an angle between the twopaths is in the interval of about 30°-45°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail in the following withreference to an embodiment and to the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a control device according to theinvention, in the form of a gear selector lever which can be movedbetween two modes of gear shifting;

FIG. 2 shows a partially broken perspective view of the control deviceaccording to the invention with an associated control lever in aposition corresponding to a first type of transmission;

FIG. 3 shows a partially broken perspective view of the control deviceaccording to the invention with an associated control lever in aposition corresponding to a first type of transmission.

FIGS. 4-8 show, on a larger scale, partly broken perspective views ofthe control device in different operating positions for the two types ofgear-shifting;

FIG. 9 shows in a schematical manner a control panel forming part of thecontrol device; and

FIGS. 10A-10C show two switches forming part of the control device;

FIGS. 11A-11C show two switches forming part of the control device andassuming a different operating position;

FIGS. 12A-12C show two switches forming part of the control device andassuming a different operating position; and

FIGS. 13A-13C show two switches forming part of the control device andassuming a different operating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As is apparent from, for example FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the control deviceincludes two main parts, i.e. a control lever 1 having a longitudinalaxis 1' and a control bracket 2. The control lever is pivotally arrangedin relation to the control bracket so as to provide different pivotingmovements between different control positions. In the example as shown,the control device is in the nature of a gear lever assembly for anautomatic transmission for motor vehicles, which lever assembly can bemoved between two modes, or types, of gear-shifting, i.e. theconventional automatic gear-shifting mode and a particular gear-shiftingmode in which the changing of gears is entirely controlled by thedriver, as is the case with a manual gearbox. The control lever 1 isnormally movable in its main movement by pivoting it in a first pivotingplane extending essentially vertically in the longitudinal direction ofthe vehicle. This pivoting displacement direction of the control leveris, for example, intended to be converted to a translationaldisplacement of a transmission element, for example, a cable 3. Thecable is connected to the device which is to be controlled by means ofthe control device, i.e., the automatic gearbox in the presentembodiment. The above-mentioned pivoting displacement of the controllever is carried out about a first pivotable hinge 4 which is arrangedat a distance from the upper end 5 of the control lever, at which pointthe lever is intended to be gripped by the driver during manualoperation. Normally, the lever includes a knob (not shown) or a controlhead which provides a grip which is adapted to the operator's hand. Thepivotable hinge will be described in greater detail below and is, in oneembodiment, constructed as a rounded section or a pivot ball 6 at thelower end 7 of the control lever. The pivot ball is supported in abearing socket in the control bracket 2. In one embodiment, the bearingsocket is in the nature of a bearing cup in which the ball can bepivoted. The bearing socket will be described in greater detail below.

According to the invention, the control lever 1 is pivotally connectedvia a second pivotable hinge 8 to an elongated guide element 9, whichtogether with a bearing part 10 in the control bracket, form a guidedevice for at least the first displacement of the control lever 1, i.e.the pivoting forwards/backwards displacement about the pivotable hinge 4of the lever. The guide element 9, together with the bearing part 10, isoperative so that it can perform a reciprocal translational displacementwhich in the example is entirely linear and synchronous with the firstpivoting displacement of the control lever about its first, lowerpivotable hinge 4 and along its first pivoting plane.

In the example, the guide element 9 is constructed as an essentiallycylindrical unit which forms a main axis and which, by means of itsessentially cylinder mantle-shaped sliding surface, is supported by abearing surface 11 of the bearing part 10, which surface is formed inessentially a corresponding manner and is formed by a recess or acylindrical bore in the control bracket 2.

The second pivotable hinge 8 is arranged at a distance from the firstpivotable hinge 4 and the upper end 5 of the control lever. In theexample, the second pivotable hinge 8 is provided with a transverseshaft 12 which is inserted through the guide element 9, i.e. the mainaxis, preferably its geometrical longitudinal axis, and directed withits own geometrical axis 14 perpendicularly in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the guide element 9. FIG. 1 shows in greater detailan example of the actual design of the pivotable hinge 8 with twoprotruding flanges 15, 16 on the control lever 1. Each of the flanges15, 16 presents a coaxial hole 17 through which the transverse shaft 12extends. The holes 17 are dimensioned so as to form a bearing for theshaft extending through the holes and to allow a pivoting displacementof the control lever 1 about the geometrical transverse axis 14 ofrotation. The guide element 9 performs a reciprocal displacement alongits geometrical longitudinal axis 13. Since the guide element 9 issupported in the control bracket, the lower pivotable hinge 4 isnormally operative to carry out a minor lifting and loweringdisplacement in relation to the control bracket or the control lever 1,or a combination of both movements. An advantageous solution will bedescribed in greater detail below.

The control bracket 1 is designed with a section 18, see FIG. 1, withdownwardly facing mounting surfaces for the attachment of the bracket ona vehicle body, for example, by means of fastening screws (not shown)which are inserted through holes in the bracket. The control bracket isrelatively sturdy so as to enclose the guide device 9, 10 and otherfunctional elements which either sense the position of the guide element9 or may position or lock the guide element in a predeterminedtranslational position. These functions may, for example, includefunctions which are known per se, for example the shiftlock and keylockfunctions. The shiftlock functions are in the nature of a lockingfunction which locks the control lever 1 in certain positions, forexample the parking and neutral positions, when the foot brake is notapplied. For example, the shiftlock function is designed as a lockingelement which may be formed by a pin or a plate which, in its lockingposition, is inserted into a recess, for example an annular track in theguide element 9. The locking element is suitably positioned by means ofa solenoid, which is not shown in the example. The keylock function canbe provided by means of a locking unit having a locking element which ispositioned by means of a wire between a locking position for locking ofthe guide element and for releasing the guide element, respectively. Forthis purpose, an annular track is, for example, arranged in the mantlesurface of the guide element.

Other functions which may be incorporated in the guide element 9 includea positioning device 19 which provides distinct gear positions for thenormal automatic gear-shifting mode of the control device. In accordancewith one embodiment, this positioning device can be formed by aspring-loaded arm which is spring-biased towards the peripheral wall ofthe guide element and cooperates with recesses 20 in the guide element.These recesses are chosen in a number which corresponds to the number ofgear positions in the automatic gear-shifting mode. The number of gearpositions may vary to a great degree, but is normally at least four andis in the illustrated embodiment six. The positioning device can becombined with electrical detectors so as to provide an opticalindication of the gear positions. For example, the current gear positionmay be indicated on the dashboard. In a corresponding manner, amechanical indication can be obtained as a result of a detection of theaxial position of the guide element 9.

Furthermore, the control bracket 2 is designed as a housing having twowall sections 26, 27 protruding from a front section 21, the wallsections extending on each side of the control lever 1, and having abase section 28 extending between the wall sections. The base sectionsupports, directly or indirectly, the first, lower pivotable hinge 4.

Each of the two side wall sections 26, 27 presents a guide track 29, 30which extends with a track section 29a, 30a, extending straight andparallel to the longitudinal axis 13 of the guide element 9, and with atrack section 29b downwardly facing on one side in the wall section 26,and also a track section 30b which is upwardly facing on the other side.The guide tracks provide guiding for the transverse shaft 12 whichpresents shaft sections 31 and 32, respectively. In this manner, thegear lever 1 is stabilized as regards the pivoting forwards/backwardsmovement, i.e. in the direction corresponding to the manner in which thedriver is seated or the longitudinal direction of the vehicle By meansof the transverse track sections 29b, 30b, the lever is also allowed tocarry out a sidewards, pivoting displacement and to be locked against apivoting forwards/backwards movement. This will be described in greaterdetail below.

The control device is directed to the type of gear lever assemblieswhich can be moved between two gear-shifting modes. Except from theabove-mentioned conventional, automatic gear-shifting mode, the devicecan be set in an alternative gear-shifting mode, which in the exampledescribed more resembles gear changing with a manual gearbox, since thedriver is in complete control of the gear positions of the gearbox. Inthe automatic gear-shifting mode, the control lever 1 is pivoted as hasbeen described above with the first, lower pivotable hinge 4 as a pivotcenter for the control lever. After moving the control lever a limitedangle by turning the lever about the longitudinal axis 13 of the guidedevice, the pivot center of the lever 1 is changed up to the secondpivotable hinge 8. The changing displacement of the control device 1 ismade possible due to the fact that the guide element 9 is not onlyadapted to perform a translational displacement in its longitudinaldirection but is also adapted to perform a pivoting displacement alongits longitudinal axis 13 (alternatively that the lever 1 only can bepivoted about the axis 13), due to the fact that the lower end 7 of thelever can be moved sidewards and due to the fact that the transverseshaft 12 is allowed to be pivoted in a plane which is perpendicular tothe axis 13. A change to the alternative gear-shifting mode is allowedin a certain pivoting position for the control lever 1, that is theposition in which the transverse shaft 12 is situated right in front ofthe transverse track sections 29b, 30b and can be inserted into thesesections.

The above-described sidewards displacement of the control lever is madepossible as a result of the design of the lower pivotable hinge 4. Forexample, FIGS. 2-4 show an example of one design of the pivotable hinge4. A bearing cup 34 is arranged in the base section 28 of the controlbracket 2. The cup is essentially designed as a T with a transversesection 35 extending parallel to the general longitudinal direction 14of the transverse axis in the automatic gear-shifting mode, and with asection 36 extending with an angle, for example approximately 30°, tothe longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis 13 of the main axis.The transverse section 35 presents a bowl-shaped recess 37a inconnection with its end 37. The longitudinal section 36 is alsorecessed, presenting a bowl-shaped section 36a in the mid section andinclined paths on each side. The paths resemble legs 36b, 36c arrangedat an angle when seen along a cross-sectional view, see for example FIG.4. In this manner, the hinge ball 6 is urged to engage one of thebowl-shaped sections. In the automatic gear-shifting mode, the hingeball 6 is held in the bowl-shaped section 37a, which provides a definedbearing point and forms the lower bearing socket for the lever 1,whereas in the alternative gear-shifting mode the control lever urges toassume a neutral position in the bowl-shaped section 36a due to thespring-biased pivot ball 6 cooperating with the bearing bowl. The ball 6may slide between end positions towards a stop element 36d, 36e alongthe inclined angled sections 36b, 36c, since the ball 6 is arranged on abar which is arranged in the lever in a movable and spring-biasedmanner.

In the automatic gear-shifting mode, the control lever is pivoted aboutits lower pivotable hinge 4. In this regard, the lever can be movedforwards/backwards in its first pivoting plane which extends essentiallyvertically through the longitudinal axis 1 of the control lever 1 andthe lower pivoting point, i.e. the bearing element. The guide element 9provides a linear guiding which, due to its hinged connection via theupper, second hinge element 8 provides a stable pivoting displacementabout the lower hinge element 4. This displacement in the vertical planeis fixed and is possible due to the guiding of the transverse shaft 12in the tracks 29, 30, since the transverse axis during this displacementruns in the longitudinal, horizontal track sections 29a, 30a between theends of the track sections. Due to the pivoting displacement of thelever 1 about the lower pivotable element 4, the control positions ofthe automatic gearbox can be set. For example, this may be carried outin a mechanical manner by transforming the pivoting displacement of thecontrol lever to a reciprocal translational displacement of thetransmission element 3. This element can either be mounted in the end 38of the guide element 9 facing away from the control lever or may extendthrough a central axial bore in the guide element 9 and is fixed eitherin the transverse shaft 12 or in the control lever. Alternatively, thetransmission element 3 may extend in connection with the guide element,on the outside thereof, so as to be attached directly to the controllever 1 or to the shaft 12, as is the case in the embodiment accordingto FIG. 1. One aspect of the invention is that the transmission element3, in its section which is adjacent to the control device, hasessentially the same longitudinal direction as the guide element 9 andextends in close connection thereto. In this manner, the displacementfor positioning the control lever in the alternative gear-shifting modewill not imply any sidewards displacement of the transmission elementand of the cable covering 39 comprising a fastening end 40 and beingassociated with the cable, which end is mounted in a suitable manner inany fixed section of the control device.

The change from the automatic gear-shifting mode to the alternative modeis made through sidewards pivoting of the control lever 1 through asmall angle in relation to the main axis 13. Due to the fact that theguide element 9 in the disclosed embodiment is not solely supported in alinear manner but is also pivotably arranged in the control bracket 2for pivoting about its geometrical axis 13, the guide element also formsa pivot bearing for the lever. This sidewards movement is possible in acertain gear position of the lever, suitably the normal drivingposition. This is determined by the arrangement of the transverse tracksections 29b, 30b of the guide tracks 29, 30, which sections enable boththe movement of the transverse axis about the axis 13 and also locks thepivoting of the lever about the lower pivotable hinge 4.

The bearing cup 34, or more precisely the transverse section 35, seeFIGS. 5 and 6, forms a guiding path for the pivotable ball 6 which,during the sidewards displacement of the lever, runs from itsbowl-shaped section 37a along a protrusion 35a to the bowl-shapedsection 36a of the section 36. The protrusion 35a provides resistanceagainst movement of the lever which must be overcome by means of acertain force. This reduces unintentional gear-changing movements.

Due to the sidewards displacement, the lever 1 changes its pivotingpoint from the lower pivotable element 4 to the upper pivotable element8, or more precisely about the geometrical axis 13 of the transverseshaft 12. Thus, the lever 1 is also allowed to move in a second pivotingplane which is arranged at a minor angle in relation to the firstpivoting plane.

In an alternative gear-shifting mode, the control lever 1 is adapted toswing about the upper pivotable hinge 8 between a neutral position,which for example corresponds to the current gear engagement when thegear lever was moved from the driving position D to the alternativegear-shifting mode.

The bowl section 36 may be designed with a radius which is less than thehinge ball 6. In this manner, an edge is formed which faces bothdisplacement directions. In this manner, a resistance against movementis provided, which must be overcome by means of a certain force beforeleaving the neutral position by means of swinging movements in the planeof the paper.

As opposed to the automatic gear-shifting mode in which the automaticgearbox in the conventional manner changes gear in the D positionautomatically depending on, for example the engine speed, thealternative gear-shifting mode is thus based on the fact that the driverchooses the gear manually. When the driver, by gripping the controllever, moves it forwardly in the alternative gear-shifting mode, theautomatic gearbox is changed up one gear for each swinging movement fromthe neutral position. In a corresponding manner, the gearbox is changeddown one gear for each displacement of the gear lever in the backwardsdirection. As is shown in the drawings, the activation of the automaticgearbox in the alternative gear-shifting mode is carried outelectrically by means of two microswitches 41, 42 which are providedwith sensors 44, 45 situated in front of a guide surface 43 at the lowerpart of the control lever. In this manner, the microswitches may, incooperation with the end section of the lever, alternately close andbreak electrical circuits so as to readjust the gearbox in a mannerwhich is known per se via electromechanical control devices on thegearbox, for example solenoids. This will be described in greater detailbelow.

In the embodiments shown, a locking device 48 in the form of a recess isprovided. This device is provided with locking edges 47, is profiled andis fixed to the control bracket 2. The recess cooperates with a lockingelement 49 which is movable and arranged in the lever 1. The lockingelement is spring-biased in the longitudinal direction of the lever andis urged towards the fixed locking element. The moveable locking element49 can be activated manually by means of a button 50 in the upper end ofthe lever. Due to the profiled shaped, the lever is locked for not beingunintentionally changed from certain gear positions to other gearpositions, for example from the neutral position to the reverseposition.

FIG. 9 shows a control panel 51 which is intended to form part of acover bracket which covers the control bracket 2. The control panel 51presents a track 52 through which the control lever 1 is intended toextend into the driver's compartment within reach of the driver. Thetrack 52 has a design which is operative to provide the variousdisplacements of the control lever. The track presents a straight maintrack 53. The lever is intended to be moved along the main track in amain path 54 in one of the gear-shifting modes of the control device,i.e. the automatic gear-shifting mode for selection between differentgear positions, which are usually called PRND, and further gearpositions which according to the shown example are denoted 3 and 2,respectively. P denotes the park position, R the reverse position, N theneutral position and D the drive position during automatic changingbetween the different gears of the gearbox, for example four. 3 denoteslocking of the gearbox in third gear, whereas 2 denotes the second gear.The second gear-shifting mode of the control device follows a side track55 which directly joins the main track 53 and is directed with such anangle that the displacement path 56 of the side track presents a clearangle in relation to the displacement path 54 of the main track. Thisangle v is preferably in the interval 30-45° and implies that thedisplacement path 56 generally maintains a direction from the driver'sposition towards the main track somewhere between its end points,essentially its middle section, since the displacement path of the maintrack is directed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and thecontrol lever normally is positioned slightly in front of the driver.

In the example, a change between the automatic gear-shifting mode andthe particular gear-shifting mode is carried out in the driving positionD. In this regard, the lever is moved transversely in relation to themain displacement path 54 along a short displacement path 57 to theneutral position for the alternative gear-shifting mode, wherein thelever assumes the neutral position shown with a broken circular line 58.In the alternative gear-shifting mode, the swinging between the +position is carried out. In the example, the + position may coincide forthe control lever with the neutral N position of the normalgear-shifting mode and is denoted with a circular line 59. A swingingmovement towards the driver along the path 56 of movement to theposition is illustrated by means of a third circular line 60 in FIG. 9.The normal gear-shifting mode is resumed from the neutral position 58 ofthe alternative gear-shifting mode and is carried out along thedisplacement path 57 to the driving position D.

FIGS. 10-13 show the four different conditions of the lower pivotablehinge and also the corresponding conditions of the microswitches 41, 42and the associated circuit design. The main shape of the hinge cup 34and its orientation is also shown. The transverse track section 35 isthus transverse to the direction of the main displacement path 54, whichforms the angle v in relation to the track section 36. By using theconditions of the two switches 41, 42 for each position of the lower endof the control lever, i.e. the pivotable ball 6, a truth table can beused for reading four different control conditions through the use oftwo switches only. In this regard, FIG. 10 shows the position of theautomatic gear-shifting mode with the pivotable ball 6 as a fixed pivotpoint. In this regard, the lower end of the control lever 1 and thusalso the guiding surface 43 is kept at a distance from the microswitches41, 42 which are both kept open. The microswitches form part of athree-wire current circuit having a continuously closed center-conductorcircuit 58 and two control circuits 59, 60 in which each microswitch 41,42 is included. The position according to FIG. 10 corresponds to theposition of the hinge ball 6 shown in FIGS. 2-5.

In FIG. 11, as well as in FIGS. 6 and 9, the control device is movedalong the movement path 57 to the alternative gear-shifting mode, thehinge ball 6 having been moved to the neutral position and the lower endof the control lever having been moved to the two switches 41 and 42,which are set in a closed condition in which the two circuits 59, 60 areclosed.

FIG. 12, as well as FIGS. 8 and 9, show the hinge ball 6 and the lowerend of the lever being set along the direction of the arrow 56 in aposition corresponding to the--position, i.e., a position correspondingto changing down. In this manner, the guiding surface 43 is displace inits longitudinal direction and through its limitation in this directionkeeps the microswitch 41 open, whereas the switch 42 is closed. Thisposition is also shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 shows the hinge ball 6 being displaced in the direction of thearrow 56 to a position for changing up, see also FIGS. 7 and 9. In thisregard, the control lever 1 is in the + position, see FIG. 9, and theguiding surface 43 on the lower end of the control lever islongitudinally displaced so that the microswitch 41 is switched to theclosed condition and the switch 42 is opened.

The invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments shown inthe drawings, but may be varied within the scope of the appended claims.For example, the guide element 9 can have a cornered cross-section andmay be adapted only for reciprocal axial movement. The sidewardspivoting displacement of the control lever 1 can be carried out so thatthe control lever 1 is rotatable in relation to the guide element 9about its longitudinal axis 13 by means of a pivoting hinge. As is shownin FIG. 1, the transmission element in the form of a cable can bereplaced by an electric sensor 3' which detects the forwards/backwardspivoting position of the lever and which transmits information to thegearbox in an electrical manner. The position sensors in the form of forexample the microswitches 41, 42 can be positioned at some otherposition than at the lower end so as to detect the control movement ofthe lever 1.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it needs to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements have been devised without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device comprising a control lever, acontrol bracket having a guide track, the control lever having a firstpivotable hinge wherein the control lever is pivotally arranged inrelationship to the control bracket for displacement between a pluralityof control positions with a first control movement, wherein the controlpositions of the control lever about the first pivotable hinge areadapted to be transferred into corresponding operating conditions, thecontrol lever further adapted to carry out a second control movement byturning the control lever about a second pivotable hinge forming a pivotcenter, a locking device which during displacement of said control leverto said second control movement locks the pivotable movement of thecontrol lever about said first pivot hinge and changes the pivot centerfor the control lever to said second pivotable hinge, said secondpivotable hinge including a transverse shaft which is translationallymoveable in the guide track for determining the control movement of thecontrol lever and for locking the translational displacement of theshaft in a predetermined control condition whereby the change of thepivot center for the control lever is carried out, the control bracketincluding a housing having two wall sections extending on each side ofthe control lever and having said guide track in each wall section, anda mechanical transmission element for the transfer of at least oneoperating condition operatively coupled to the control lever.
 2. Thecontrol device according to claim 1, further including a bearing ball atthe end of the control lever, and a bearing cup arranged in the controlbracket to form part of the first pivotable hinge, said bearing cupallowing the displacement of the control lever to the second controlmovement about the second pivotable hinge by positionally guiding themovement of the bearing ball within the bearing cup.
 3. The controldevice according to claim 2, wherein the bearing cup is in the form oftracks which allow both a rotational movement and a translationaldisplacement of the bearing ball.
 4. The control device according to,claim 3, wherein said tracks for said bearing ball comprise a firstsection for rotational movement of the bearing ball in a predeterminedposition for pivoting of the control lever about the first pivotablehinge, for translational displacement to a second section which presentsan angle in relationship to the first section, and for translationaldisplacement of the bearing ball along said second section for pivotingthe control lever about the second pivotable hinge.
 5. The controldevice according to claim 4, further including two electrical switchesfor detection of at least four positions of the control lever.
 6. Thecontrol device according to claim 5, wherein the electrical switches areeach adapted to maintain their respective electrical circuits brokenwith the bearing ball being in its position for rotational displacementin said first section; and maintaining both of the electrical circuitsclosed when in a first of three positions in the second section;maintaining one of the electrical circuits closed when in a second ofthe three positions in the second section, and maintaining the other ofthe electrical circuits closed when in a thrid of the three positions inthe second section.
 7. The control device according to claim 3, whereinsaid tracks for said bearing ball are generally T-shaped.
 8. The controldevice according to claim 1, wherein during said second controlmovement, the control lever is adapted to be displaced along a pathwhich extends in a direction which is separated from a direction whichis parallel to a path of the first control movement.
 9. The controldevice according to claim 8, wherein an angle between the two paths isin the interval of about 30°-45°.